The Top 5 Best Methods to Eliminating Brain Fog and Clearing Your Head
Ever felt so low energy that even getting out of bed was a struggle? Are you constantly in a gloomy mood? Unable to focus? Finding it hard to express yourself? Forgetting minor things? Chances are, you’re experiencing brain fog.
What exactly is brain fog?
Brain fog is a term used to describe symptoms that affect your ability to think clearly. It can manifest as confusion, forgetfulness, and/or a lack of focus and mental clarity. It’s our brain telling us that something isn’t optimal, and it often shows up as a temporary phase where you just don’t feel like yourself. We know this sounds heavy. Don’t worry! With a few shifts in habit, you should be able to come out of it in no time.
Make Changes in Your Diet!
One of the leading causes of brain fog is poor gut health. Emerging research suggests that sugar and processed foods (which feed the bacteria in our gut) lead to inflammation, not just in the body but in the brain as well. This is perhaps why we often feel sleepy after eating a sugary treat or carb-heavy meal. This “crash” is not only physical, but mental as well.
Did you know that about 95 percent of your dopamine and serotonin (feel-good neurotransmitters) are produced in your intestinal tract?
Experts recommend increasing the amount of anti-inflammatory foods in your diet. This is an easy way to promote gut health without having to completely cut inflammatory foods out. Along with your regular food consumption, make sure to get in a variety of fruits and vegetables, prebiotics, and probiotics. This helps your body produce those brain-boosting neurotransmitters.
Don’t Stress!
We know, this one is easier said than done. In today’s world, we flood our brains with so much information on a daily basis. The news, social media, emails, texts, you name it. Our poor brains are exhausted. It’s time to refresh!
Try working in intervals, taking scheduled breaks to get water, go for a short walk, or make a phone call. Disrupting your daily cycle this way can improve your brain power and ease stress, making it harder to feel burnt out. We love the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of rest), but use whichever method works best for you!
Meditation is another great option for clearing your mind. It’s recommended to meditate for 12 minutes every day, but try to get in at least 5 where you can. Stand, sit or lie down wherever you are, close your eyes, and just focus on your breathing. Simplicity is good here! And the best part? You don’t need anything besides a timer.
Improve Your Sleeping Habits!
Okay, let’s face it. If you’re not sleeping well, your brain isn’t working well. Poor sleeping habits can increase stress levels and interfere with our brain’s rest and recovery time. It’s important to create a consistent sleep schedule!
Here’s a sneaky trick: stepping outside for a few minutes as the sun rises and again before the sun sets will reset your circadian rhythms. Natural light aligns your sleep-wake cycle, allowing your brain to go into ‘self-clean’ mode at night, clearing out brain-fog-causing plaque. But most importantly, try to create a daily routine, making an active choice to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day.
Get Those Steps In!
Exercise encourages blood and oxygen flow throughout the body, ultimately giving your brain a boost. Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to drop and give us fifty pushups (unless you want to!). A daily walk or dance party in your living room are both excellent forms of movement and will also help to reset your brain.
Brain Games!
Playing solitaire, a board game, or doing a crossword puzzle, are all wonderful ways of stimulating your brain. (Plus, duh, they’re fun!) In fact, picking up a new skill or hobby that you find engaging and enjoyable has been proven to aid in the restoration of brain power.
You’re now ready to tackle that pesky brain fog! However, if implementing these changes isn’t working for you and you’re still experiencing symptoms of brain fog, it may be time to check in with a doctor. Here’s to more clear and focused brains!
Key Takeaways
- Make Changes in Your Diet! Eating more fruits and veggies will help your body produce brain-boosting neurotransmitters.
- Don’t Stress! Try working in small intervals and then taking a break. Or meditate!
- Improve Your Sleeping Habits! Stepping outside at the beginning and end of each day can help reset your sleep cycle and create a more consistent routine.
- Get Those Steps in! Take a short walk or dance around your living room to a favourite song.
- Brain Games! Play solitaire, tackle the crossword, or indulge in a new hobby.
